Effective weight control via an implanted self-powered vagus nerve stimulation device

TLDR

In vivo vagus nerve stimulation holds great promise in regulating food intake for obesity treatment. The study presents an implanted, battery‑free vagus nerve stimulation system that responds spontaneously to stomach movement. The system uses a flexible, biocompatible nanogenerator attached to the stomach surface that generates biphasic electric pulses in response to peristalsis, stimulating vagal afferent fibers to reduce food intake. In rat models, the device maintained average body weight at 350 g—38 % lower than controls—over 100 days, demonstrating highly effective weight control and linking nerve stimulation to organ function.

Abstract

In vivo vagus nerve stimulation holds great promise in regulating food intake for obesity treatment. Here we present an implanted vagus nerve stimulation system that is battery-free and spontaneously responsive to stomach movement. The vagus nerve stimulation system comprises a flexible and biocompatible nanogenerator that is attached on the surface of stomach. It generates biphasic electric pulses in responsive to the peristalsis of stomach. The electric signals generated by this device can stimulate the vagal afferent fibers to reduce food intake and achieve weight control. This strategy is successfully demonstrated on rat models. Within 100 days, the average body weight is controlled at 350 g, 38% less than the control groups. This work correlates nerve stimulation with targeted organ functionality through a smart, self-responsive system, and demonstrated highly effective weight control. This work also provides a concept in therapeutic technology using artificial nerve signal generated from coordinated body activities.